GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Wednesday 25 October, 2023) – The Australian Open of Surfing (AOS) Tour presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Sunshine Coast Open, is set to kick off an exciting weekend of competition this Saturday, October 28. Continuing with the single-wave format which was implemented in 2022, the AOS will bring together some of Australia’s elite open surfers, battling for the huge prize pool on offer.
Former World Surf League Championship Tour surfer and 2020 AOS event champion, Dimity Stoyle, said she’s excited to be back competing at the AOS.
“I love the new format with best one wave being scored,” said Stoyle. “The format makes it more exciting for us to try and get the best wave and push yourself to go bigger. It’s going to be a fun event!”
Surfing Queensland Event Manager, Elliot Dempster,said the AOS is a great opportunity to support athletes on their qualification pathway, win decent prize money, and progress their competitive surfing.
“The huge prize money that the AOS has to offer is not only an incentive for athletes to push their surfing, but also a great opportunity for professional and aspiring surfers to earn some decent cash to fund careers in the sport,” said Dempster. “We have continued with the single wave scoring format, which we added to the Tour in 2022, as the feedback from competitors was overwhelmingly positive. We’re looking forward to seeing the surfers push their surfing and apply the AOS ‘go big or home’ philosophy.”
The AOS tour includes two qualifying events, Coffs Harbour Open (completed) and the Sunshine Coast Open, with the top qualifiers from the two events invited to compete at the Better Beer Bondi Open Grand Final, to be held at Bondi Beach on 12 November 2023.
The prize pool for the AOS Tour is $50,000, which includes $10,000 equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners at each qualifier and then $15,000 equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners at the Bondi Grand Final.
Allpress Espresso is a supporting partner for the AOS Sunshine Coast Open and will be sampling a new product, the Latte Iced Speciality Coffee, keeping Sunshine Coast locals, spectators, and competitors caffeinated all weekend.
Baker Advice Group has also come onboard as an official partner of the AOS, Sunshine Coast Open, and said they’re proud to support the surfing community and the upcoming athletes.
The Australian Open of Surfing Tour will have a live webcast through the Australian Open of Surfing Facebook.
Please note, the AOS is a mobile event, so please check Surfing Queenslands social media and call the Surfing Queensland event hotline on (07 3030 6388) after 6AM for the confirmed location.
The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Queensland Qualifier will follow the next day on Sunday 29 October, making for a massive weekend of surfing on the Sunshine Coast.
The 2023 Australian Open of Surfing Tour, Sunshine Coast Open, presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is proudly supported by AllPress Espresso and Baker Advice Group.
Surfing Queensland would also like to thank Sunshine Coast Council, The Point Coolum, QMS Media, Travla, DriTimes, Ancestral Nutrition, Suzuki Queensland, We Are Feel Good Inc and Queensland Government for their ongoing support.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Australian Open of Surfing Tour, presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Qualifier One
Coffs Harbour Open – completed
Qualifier Two
Sunshine Coast Open, 28 October 2023
Prize Money Breakdown: Equal Men and Women
1st Place $2,000.00
2nd Place $1,500.00
3rd Place $1,000.00
4th Place $500.00
Grand Final
Bondi Grand Final Open, 12 November 2023
Prize Money Breakdown: Equal Men and Women
1st Place $10,000.00
2nd Place $1,000.00
3rd Place $750.00
4th Place $500.00
$250 for all Grand Final competitors who do not place
